What is Fascia?
Fascia is a connective tissue that forms an intricate web throughout the body, encompassing muscles, bones, organs, and nerves. It's composed primarily of collagen and elastin fibers, which give it both strength and flexibility. Fascia provides structural support, helps to transmit forces generated by muscle contractions, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's overall integrity and alignment. Beyond its mechanical functions, fascia also contains sensory receptors that contribute to proprioception, allowing us to sense the position and movement of our body parts. This dynamic tissue system is essential for movement efficiency and overall physical health.
Trauma can significantly affect fascia by disrupting its structural integrity and function. When the body experiences physical injury or stress, the fascia may become inflamed, thickened, or adhered to underlying tissues, leading to restricted movement and discomfort. This disruption can result from direct trauma, such as an impact injury, or from repetitive stress and poor posture. As the fascia heals, it may form adhesions or scar tissue, which can impair its normal elasticity and flexibility. This altered state of fascia can contribute to chronic pain, reduced range of motion, and impaired overall function. Additionally, the inflammatory response following trauma can exacerbate these issues by further affecting the fascia’s ability to transmit forces and maintain structural balance.
Fascia exhibits piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate electrical charges in response to mechanical stress or deformation. This phenomenon occurs because the collagen fibers within the fascia align and realign under mechanical pressure, leading to the creation of electrical charges on their surfaces. The piezoelectric effect in fascia plays a role in various physiological processes, such as cellular repair and tissue regeneration. When fascia is subjected to forces like stretching or compression, these electrical charges can influence the behavior of adjacent cells and tissues, potentially impacting healing processes and overall tissue function. This property underscores the fascia's role not only in mechanical support but also in the dynamic communication and regulation of bodily functions. I have often found that when working on client they can often feel a buzzing or electrical sensation that I as a practitioner can also feel.
A non-Newtonian fluid is a substance whose viscosity changes in response to applied stress or strain, unlike Newtonian fluids, which have a constant viscosity regardless of the force applied. This means that non-Newtonian fluids can become thicker or thinner depending on how they are handled. An example of a non-Newtonian fluid is cornstarch mixed with water, which acts like a solid when a sudden force is applied but flows like a liquid when the force is removed. Fascia exhibits similar non-Newtonian properties. It can adapt its consistency based on mechanical stress, becoming more rigid under sudden pressure and more flexible when the stress is gradual. This adaptability is crucial for maintaining structural integrity and facilitating movement within the body.
